For over three decades, Lebo M has been the unmistakable voice behind The Lion King — from the soaring Zulu chant that opens “Circle of Life” to the emotionally rich scores that have helped define one of Disney’s most iconic franchises. Now, the celebrated South African composer and producer is entering a new chapter: his first-ever solo concert, taking place in South Africa this year. “It’s my biggest dream,” Lebo told EBONY. “I’m doing my first concert in South Africa—and in Africa—and in history.”
Born in apartheid-era South Africa, Lebo fled into exile at just 16 years old before eventually settling in Los Angeles, where he worked his way up from a studio assistant in South Central to a trusted collaborator of composer Hans Zimmer. Their partnership began with the 1992 film The Power of One and eventually led to Lebo’s defining role on The Lion King.
“I wasn’t even that interested in going back to Hollywood at the time,” he said. “South Africa was on the cusp of freedom. But the film became personal — it mirrored my own journey. Mufasa handing off to Simba was Mandela becoming president. That’s what inspired the lyrics.”
Since then, Lebo has remained central to every major iteration of The Lion King — from the original animated film and its Oscar-winning score, to the Tony-winning Broadway musical, to global arena tours with Zimmer, and most recently, Mufasa: The Lion King, which debuted last December. The latest chapter brought him into collaboration with director Barry Jenkins and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“Working with Lin was a dream I never thought would happen,” he said. “It felt like a full-circle moment—30 years into this journey, and I’m still discovering new ways to tell the story.”
While his name is closely tied to The Lion King, Lebo has also contributed to other major film projects including Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Woman King, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He’s also the executive producer of the Oscar-nominated South African film Last Ranger. But it’s the music of The Lion King that continues to spark a profound emotional connection with audiences around the world—something Lebo says he only truly understood once he began performing live.
“When I started doing the arena tours with Hans, I entered shock,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much impact the music had until I saw people around the world reacting to it in real-time—singing in Zulu. I was humbled.”
That same emotional power will be at the heart of his upcoming concert, which he’s spent more than a decade envisioning. Featuring special guests Hans Zimmer, Mi Casa and Lebo’s daughter Refi, along with a tribute to Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala, the show will blend cinematic production with live artistry on a scale rarely seen on the continent.
“We’ve created a brand that stands for quality in African content,” he said. “Now, I want to show that we can produce a live experience that rivals anything in the world—with world-class tech, design and music.”
The concert is symbolic in more ways than one: it comes on the heels of Mufasa’s release, the 30th anniversary of The Lion King, 30 years of South African democracy, and Lebo’s own 60th birthday. “The stars have aligned,” he said. “It was time.”
Even as he reflects on the past, Lebo is deeply inspired by the next generation of African talent—from Tyla and Uncle Waffles to Black Coffee and Burna Boy. “Tyla represents the fact that we can have superstars from Africa on the level of a Beyoncé,” he said. “It’s more than a feeling — it’s progress.”
Still, he remains committed to evolving his own voice and pushing creative boundaries. “Though I’m an African artist, I’m also part of the global diaspora,” he said. “My work is rooted in who I am but inspired by everything I’ve lived—from jazz and R&B to hip-hop in South Central.”
In a career built on collaboration and cultural exchange, Lebo M continues to bring African storytelling to the world stage—now, on his own terms.
